Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana.
PLoS One. 2022 Jul 15;17(7):e0271551. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271551. eCollection 2022.
Vulnerable populations such as rural and urban-slum dwellers are more likely to suffer greatly from the deleterious effects of the novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, in Ghana, most COVID-19 mitigating packages are not focused on vulnerable populations.
Concurrent mixed methods design was used to examine the socio-economic and health effects of COVID-19 among rural and urban-slum dwellers in Ghana. Four hundred respondents were sampled for the quantitative arm of the study, while 46 In-depth Interviews (IDIs) were conducted with community members and government officials. Sixty-four community members participated in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and non-participant observation was carried out for three months. Quantitative data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, Pearson Chi2 and ordered logistic regression. Interviews were recorded using digital recorders and later transcribed. Transcribed data (IDIs, FGDs) and observation notes were uploaded onto a computer and transferred to qualitative software NVivo 12 to support thematic coding and analysis.
Majority of the respondents confirmed the deleterious socio-economic and health effects of COVID-19 on jobs and prices of food. Other effects were fear of visiting a health facility even when unwell, depression and anxiety. Young people (18-32 years), males, urban-slum dwellers, married individuals, the employed and low-income earners (those who earn GHC10/$1.7 to GHC100/ $17), were more likely to suffer from the socio-economic and health effects of COVID-19. Urban-slum dwellers coped by relying on family and social networks for food and other basic necessities, while rural dwellers created locally appropriate washing aids to facilitate hand washing in the rural communities.
COVID-19 and the government's mitigation measures had negative socio-economic and health effects on vulnerable communities. While vulnerable populations should be targeted for the government's COVID-19 mitigating packages, special attention should be given to young people (18-32 years), males, urban-slum dwellers, married individuals and low-income earners. Communities should be encouraged to maintain coping strategies adopted even after COVID-19.
农村和城市贫民窟居民等弱势群体更有可能受到新型冠状病毒病 2019（COVID-19）的不利影响。然而，在加纳，大多数 COVID-19 缓解措施并未针对弱势群体。
采用同期混合方法设计，研究 COVID-19 对加纳农村和城市贫民窟居民的社会经济和健康影响。研究的定量部分抽取了 400 名受访者，同时对社区成员和政府官员进行了 46 次深入访谈（IDIs）。64 名社区成员参加了焦点小组讨论（FGDs），并进行了为期三个月的非参与观察。使用频率、百分比、Pearson Chi2 和有序逻辑回归分析定量数据。访谈使用数字录音机记录，然后转录。转录数据（IDIs、FGDs）和观察笔记被上传到计算机上，并转移到定性软件 NVivo 12 中，以支持主题编码和分析。
大多数受访者证实 COVID-19 对工作和食品价格造成了有害的社会经济和健康影响。其他影响包括害怕即使身体不适也去医疗机构就诊、抑郁和焦虑。年轻人（18-32 岁）、男性、城市贫民窟居民、已婚人士、受雇人员和低收入者（收入为 GH₁₀/$1.7 至 GH₁₀₀/ $17）更有可能受到 COVID-19 的社会经济和健康影响。城市贫民窟居民依靠家庭和社交网络获得食物和其他基本必需品，而农村居民则就地制作合适的洗涤助剂，以促进农村社区的洗手。
COVID-19 和政府的缓解措施对弱势社区造成了负面的社会经济和健康影响。虽然弱势群体应成为政府 COVID-19 缓解措施的目标，但应特别关注年轻人（18-32 岁）、男性、城市贫民窟居民、已婚人士和低收入者。应鼓励社区保持即使在 COVID-19 之后仍采用的应对策略。
